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LuxembourgMonacoPrincess Anne and FamilyThe Netherlands

Princess Anne and European Royals brave the cold to attend Olympic Opening Ceremony

Princess Anne joined royals from across Europe to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in South Korea on Friday evening.

The royals braved temperatures of -4°C to attend the event which ran on until almost 11pm.

Joining The Princess Royal in the stands were King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of The Netherlands, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Albert II of Monaco and Princess Nora of Liechtenstein.

All of the royals were suitably wrapped up for the cold weather as they enjoyed performances showcasing South Korea’s talent and culture.

Prince Albert of Monaco is wrapped up warm as he waves to the athletes.

They also cheerily got up and waved enthusiastically when the athletes from their home countries made their way into the stadium.

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark was unable to attend the ceremony after he was forced to cut short his trip to PyongChang to be with his sick father, Prince Henrik.

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg cheers as the nation’s sole athlete make his way into the stadium.

The Princess Royal is attending the Olympic Games in the capacity as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and President of the British Olympic Association – a role she has held since 1983.

She has been in the country for a few days attending IOC conferences. However, The Queen’s daughter will not stay for the duration of the games and will return to the UK halfway through the Olympics where she already has engagements planned in the diary.

With a passion for all things equestrian, the Princess Royal competed in the 1971 European Eventing Championships winning a gold medal, and then again in 1975 where she won two silver medals.

She was voted as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1971 for her efforts.

In 1976, she represented the country at the Olympic Games in Montreal riding Her Majesty’s Horse, Goodwill.

Since 1988, the Princess has been an IOC member and was also on the LOCOG Board. LOCOG was The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The board was the organisation in charge of managing the planning and development of the 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Until her daughter, Zara Tindall, competed in the 2012 London Olympics, Anne was the only Royal to have competed in the international games.